Second place in the Easy category: Double Cherry Oatmeal Bars, by Jennifer Taylor

Published: 11 December 2012 07:04 PM

Updated: 11 December 2012 09:45 PM

PEPPERMINT COOKIE BALLS

First place, Easy

1 (16-ounce) package chocolate sandwich cookies, such as Oreos

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, room temperature

24 peppermint candies, crushed (see Note)

16 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips

Process chocolate sandwich cookies in a food processor into fine crumbs; place in a medium bowl. (Or crush the cookies in a large resealable plastic bag with a rolling pin.) Add cream cheese and mix until well blended.

Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls. Refrigerate 1 to 3 hours, until firm.

Melt chocolate in a double boiler, using care not to burn. (Or melt in the microwave using Low power in short bursts.)

Preheat oven to 350 F. Position an oven rack in the center. Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish.

In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Add butter and blend on low speed until mixture resembles coarse meal and begins to form clumps.

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